Martin Brookoff

Born in New York, New York, he was the son of the late Max and Simma (Romerovsky) Brookoff. Truly “a man of humility” he was nicknamed and referred to himself as “der Beise”, Yiddish for “the angry one”, he was anything but-he just photographed that way. He also referred to himself as the “Wandering Jew”, a love for walking that he engaged in his whole life. Once when he was about twelve, he walked from Coney Island to lower Manhattan. His father, taking a break from his work in a woodshop looked out the window and saw Marty walking by. He ran downstairs but by the time he got to street level Marty was gone. When Max got home later that evening, he asked his son if he was in Manhattan that day, he replied “I guess I was”.

In 1939 his sister Belle took him to the New York World’s Fair. In a giant room they witnessed a demonstration of an invention called Television. Belle, a ravishing red headed beauty was picked out of the crowd to come up on stage as the demonstration model. Marty said, “she looked much better in real life.”

As a young teenager one summer he traveled to Kiamesha Lake in the Catskills. For a depression era kid his first time out of the city was magical. He worked hauling boats out of the water and began his great love for the mountains and sailing.

After graduating Lincoln High School at age 17 he had to get Simma’s permission to enlist in the US Army Air Corps. With her two other sons already serving she was reluctant to do so but she agreed. Marty hoped to go overseas but only got as far as Washington DC where his duties included posts as dental assistant in The Pentagon and as a MP.

In 1950 Marty met “Mon petite chou-chou”, his beloved Rachel. As a recent immigrant from war torn France, she spoke a little English and he a little French, but luckily they both spoke Yiddish.

They would marry in 1952 and welcome sons Daniel in 1954 and Noah in 1959.

Marty went on to work in the garment business in New York, first in production then as a textile salesman schlepping his samples to designers and manufacturers for his whole working career.

He loved the comradery of his co-workers and fellow salesmen of which he developed lifelong friendships especially with Burt Tremont.

Marty loved to go out on Sheepshead Bay in a little sloop he bought but after a too close encounter between his sailboat and a tugboat and garbage scow, Marty and Rachel decided to buy a small cabin in their beloved Catskills. In the Town of Kerhonkson, NY they would spend their weekends and summers tending to their garden and taking long walks together in the woods. They developed great friendships with John and Ann Nadratowski, and Tony and Reggie Costello where they would hold spirited discussions about the issues of the day around the kitchen table sharing coffee and cake. They loved their little cabin in the woods and treasured their friends and families.

Devoted father of Noah Brookoff of Scituate and the late Dr. Daniel Brookoff of Memphis, and father-in-law to Jill Chamberlain Brookoff and her husband, Mark Jones.

Cherished grandfather of Katie Brookoff and her husband, Vikram Oberoi, and Sylvia Brookoff and her wife, Bree, and great grandfather to Silas.

Loving brother of Gert, Jack, Belle, Helen, and Sam.

Survived by his many nieces and nephews including Bruce, who had a special bond of not only nephew but as a devoted friend and his wife Linda, and Eileen McGivney, Suzanne and Richard Stack, and Matthew Brookoff; The Garber boys from Georgia - Mickey, Jerry, Mark and Steve; Yvonne and her husband Richard Rothenberg, Jay and his wife Sarah Kolett, Richard Kolett ;his French family including grandnephew Eliot, and newborn baby Caleb- his great great grandnephew.

Our family gives great thanks to the wonderful caregivers of Sunrise of Cohasset whose kindness, compassion and love supported Marty and Rachel through their last days. And to Beacon Hospice and to the amazing doctors and nurses from South Shore Hospital who cared for them.

You are all Angels on Earth and may G-d Bless you and your families.

Martin was buried with military honors and a graveside service officiated by Rabbi Steve Silberman and his wife grandniece Manette Silberman on November 14, 2024 alongside the love of his life, Rachel.

“Forever in Our Hearts”

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Covenant House, The Police Athletic League of New York, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org) or The Samaritans (https://www.the-samaritans.net).